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John Paul Jones' 



Last Cruise and Final Resting Place 

THE 

United States Naval Academy 



H. MARION 




GEORGE E. HOWARD 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

1906 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Codes Received 

MAY 16 1906 

d/CopyngtM Entry 

2 3 t f<fo(, 



-% 



CLASS «-' XXc. No. 

/3<l 2- 3 r 

COPY B. 



Copyrighted 1906 by 
H. MARION 



Printed and Published by 
GEO. E. HOWARD 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 



Foreword 



When Admiral Sigsbce's squadron sailed for France to convey 
to the United States the body of John Paul Jones it was fortunate 
that Professor Marion of the Naval Academy accompanied it, and 
became the historian of the voyage. 

His acquaintance with the officers of the squadron, his knowl- 
edge of the ships, and his participation in the imposing cere- 
monies incident to the transfer of the remains of the illustrious 
Naval Commander from Paris to the picturesque military harbor 
of Cherbourg and thence to Annapolis, eminently qualified him 
for writing his graphic account of "John Paul Jones' Last Cruise." 

His work describes the scenes and incidents from the vantage 
ground of an eye witness, and I am sure that it will be read with 
interest, not only on account of its accuracy, but because of the 
attractive manner in which he has told the story. 



H$rca& PoiZ&y^ 



New York, February 2, 1906. 




Heroes PavUs^ 



AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES TO FRANCE 



So 
(general i^omtt Porter 

Ulljp UUtatnnua Ambaaaaoor nf tl]p Huitro ^>tatra 

to iffranrr , tn ml|aar patient ararrlj hta rnutttry 

mnra tljr uoaapaatnn nf tljr remains of 

tjcr grratrat naual figljtrr tliia bvtrf 

akrtrli ia rranrrtfnllif orbtratra 



i 




HOLTIOX S BUST OF JOHN PAUL JONES 



John Paul Jones' Last Cruise 




O SINGLE event of the present decade has 
amused so much interest in both France and 
the United States as the discovery in Paris and 
the triumphal return to the United States of 
the remains of J< hn Paul Jones, and none has 
been more fruitful in demonstrations of inter- 
national good will and the promotion of cordial 
relations between the two great republics of the world. 

At the time of his death (July [8, [792 1. both countries claimed 
him as their own. The French Assembly passed a unanimous 
resolutii n h< noring the memory of Paul Jones, "Admiral of the 
United States of America," and decreed ""that twelve of its 
members should assist at the funeral of a man who had so well 
served the cause of liberty ;" s of its members even proposed 

that he should be buried in the Pantheon among the illustrious 
dead 1 f France. 

The high esteem in which Napoleon held Paul Jones may be 
judged from tie following anecdote. In 1805. Napoleon, musing 
gloomily over the news fr m Trafalgar, asked Berthier: "How 
old was Pan' when he died?"' Berthier replied that he 

Jit he v. - -rive years old. "Then."* said Xapoleon. 

"he did not fulfil his destiny. Had he lived to this time. France 
might have had an Admiral." 

The present g< vernment of France has shown no less honor 
than its predecess< r> to the memory 1 f Paul Jones by the imposing 
ceremonu - rgai ized f< r the occasion of the transfer of the 
remains and the magnificent reception given to the American 
n and the American sailors and marines, sent over to claim 
and escort the body of the most illustrious commodore of the 
early American Navy. 

France has vied with America in doing him honor, and the 
result was a ceremonial imposing in the extreme, which will long 
be remembered by those who saw it. and which can only be com- 

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PEALE PORTRAIT OF JOHN PAUL JONES 



pared in magnificence to the triumphal return from St. Helena 
of the ashes of Emperor Napoleon. 

It was the good fortune of the author to have the privilege 
of being an eye-witness of the ceremonies connected with the 
transfer of the remains of John Paul Jones from beginning to 
end, on the flagship Brooklyn, commanded by her genial Captain 
John M. Hawley, who with Admiral Sigsbee and the commanders 
of the vessels of his squadron received in Paris from the hands 
of the President of the French Republic the decoration of the 
Legion of Honor, in commemoration of this notable event. 

The vessels forming the expedition, under Admiral Sigsbee, the 

former commander of the famous battle-ship Maine, were, besides 

the Brooklyn, the Tacorna (Captain R. F. Nicholson), the Galves- 

12 »:»!"! pi~*h 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 13 

ton (Captain W. G. Cutler), and the Chattanooga (Captain A. 
Sharp). 

The Brooklyn had been designated to bring back the remains, 
and a dais had been erected on the half, deck forward of the Ad- 
miral's cabin, canopied and curtained with French and American 
flags and with a silk ensign which had been presented by the 
Daughters of the American Revolution, through their president, 
Mrs. Donald McLean. 

The squadron, after remaining some time at Tompkinsville, 
awaiting the completion of arrangements for the funeral cere- 
monies in Paris, finally sailed on the iSth of June, and reached 
Cherbourg on the morning of June 30, having retained a column 
formation during the entire cruise. 

At sea, Admiral Sigsbee issued a circular to the officers and 
men under his command stating the solemn object of the expedi- 
tion and calling attention to the opportunity of exhibiting the 
character and qualities of the personnel of the United States Navy, 
and expressing his entire confidence in the support of every 
officer and man of his division. 

How well they acquitted themselves of this trust is a matter 
of record, as shown by their splendid appearance and orderly 
behavior, and by their enthusiastic reception and the most favor- 
able comments received from all sides during their stay in Paris 
and Cherbourg. 

A notable incident of the cruise was the remarkable fact that 
the Brooklyn, leading the squadron, correctly picked out the 
entrance of the harbor of Cherbourg in a dense fog, without 
having heard a shore signal or seen a single object for twenty 
hours. The vessels had kept in touch by their whistles only. John 
Paul Jones himself would have applauded such an example of 
excellent navigation. 

On entering the magnificent roadstead of Cherbourg, the 
Brooklyn began firing a salute of twenty-one guns, with the 
French flag flying at the main ; and, as though obeying a mysteri- 
ous word of command, the fog rolled up like a curtain, and the 
squadron swept into full view of the city, presenting a magnificent 
spectacle. 

The usual official visits were at once exchanged between Rear- 
Admiral Sigsbee and Vice-Admiral Besson, the Prefet Maritime, 




PORTRAIT OF REAR ADMIRAL SIGSBEE, U. S. N., COMMANDING THE JOHN PAUL 
TONES EXPEDITION 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



15 



who was received with all honors due to his rank, a salute of 
fifteen guns being fired upon his leaving the ship. 

The French Coast Squadron did not arrive at Cherbourg until 
the following day, as the American ships were not expected to 
reach Cherbourg before July 2. This squadron was composed 
of the Bouvincs, flagship of Rear-Admiral Leygue, the Admiral 
Trchouart and the Henri IV, and presented a striking difference 
of appearance from the American warships, whose stainless white 
hulls and spar-colored funnels contrasted sharply with the black- 
painted hulls and dull-gray 
upperworks of the former. 

The arrival of the American 
squadron transformed the 
quiet and quaint old city of -■ 
Cherbourg into one of gaiety, 
the American "bluejackets" 
freely fraternizing with the 
French "mathurins," stirring 
its drowsy streets into life and 
animation. The welcome ex- 
tended the American squad- 
ron in Cherbourg was marked 
by genuine and spontaneous 
friendliness. Everybody, high 
or low, official dignitary and 
humble citizen, endeavored to 
make the visitors feel at home. 

One touching instance of 
this spirit deserves record. In a 
secluded corner of the beautiful cemetery of Cherbourg, sleep 
peacefully the American seamen killed on June 27, 1S64, in the 
memorable sea fight off Cherbourg between the United States 
sloop-of-war Kcarsargc and the Confederate cruiser Alabama. 
In honor of the American squadron the graves of these men, 
almost forgotten by their own people, had been decorated and 
made beautiful by gentle hands and a sympathetic delicacy char- 
acteristic of the French people.* 




HOISTING THE FRENCH COLORS ON 

BOARD THE BROOKLYN UPON THE 

ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICAN 

SQUADRON AT CHERBOURG 



*See footnote on page 17. 




GRAVES IN THE CEMETERY OF CHERBOURG OF THE CONFEDERATE SAILORS THAT 

WERE KILLED IN THE SEAFIGHT OFF CHERBOURG BETWEEN THE UNITED 

STATES SLOOP OF WAR KEARSAGE AND THE CONFEDERATE 

CRUISER ALABAMA 



JOHN PAUL JONES* LAST CRUISE IJ 

FESTIVITIES AT CHERBOURG IN HONOR OF THE FOURTH OF JULY 

The festivities at Cherbourg' in honor of the American national 
holiday were on a magnificent scale, and consisted of an immense 
torchlight procession, an open-air concert, a lunch offered to the 
American sailors by the French sailors and soldiers, a garden 
party given by Vice-Admiral Besson at the Prefecture in honor of 
the American officers, a reception by the Maire on the Exhibition 
Grounds, boat races between the French and American crews, in 
which honors were fairly even, and, as a grand climax, a superb 
Venetian fete in the harbor, in which the American ships were 
fairly outdone by the brilliancy and originality displayed in the 
illumination of the French ships, which were most elaborate and 
unique in design. 

Everywhere the spirit of mutual good will and friendly 
sympathy was manifest. The strains of the Marseillaise mingled 
with the American national hymn, sung in unison by French and 
American sailors. 

Among the notable speeches made on this occasion was that 
of the representative of the municipality of Cherbourg, in which 
he recalled that America had honored La Fayette as they now were 
honoring Paul Jones ; in conclusion offering a toast to the great 
American President, Mr. Roosevelt, congratulating him on his 



*In this connection the author would venture a suggestion 
which, he hopes, will be favorably received by the people of the 
United States in general aiid of Maryland in particular. 

During the War of the American Independence the French 
troops under La Fayette and Rochambeau encamped at Annapolis 
and by their presence (March i/8i) prevented the capture and the 
probable sacking of that City (See Appendix, page 80). A num- 
ber of French soldiers and sailors, who died from their wounds 
or from diseases, were buried at that time on the grounds of St. 
John's College, Annapolis. 

Could not a monument be erected on the graves of these for- 
gotten defenders of the American Independence and some cere- 
monies organized in their honor on the occasion of the visit of 
the French squadron which is expected to come to Annapolis to 
take part in the commemoration exercises in honor of Paul Jones? 
2 



i8 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



efforts in bringing' about a peace conference between Russia and 
Japan. 

In the course of the festivities a telegram was sent to President 
Roosevelt, signed by the non-commissioned officers of the French 
and American squadrons and troops, saying that they were cele- 
brating in unison the anniversary of the American independence. 

VISIT OF REAR-ADMIRAL SIGSr.EE AND STAFF TO PARIS 



A most elaborate program of official visits and entertainments 
had been arranged for Admiral Sigsbee and his staff by the 
French authorities and the 
United States Naval At- 
tache in Paris. 

On Saturday, July I, Ad- 
miral Sigsbee's party, con- 
sisting of his fleet and per- 
sonal staff with the com- 
manding officers of the fleet, 
left Cherbourg for Paris in 
a special car reserved for 
them by the French railroad 
officials, and took up their 
quarters at the Hotel Brigh- 
ton on the Rue de Rivoli. 

On Tuesday Mr. Loomis 
and Admiral Sigsbee and 
staff were officially received 
by the President of France, 
who entertained them at 
luncheon on the following 
Friday. At this luncheon, 
which was a gala affair, the members of the mission were received 
with regal honors and escorted by a bodyguard of one hundred 
and fifty cuirassiers, the same honors being accorded them as 
those tendered the King of Spain on his recent visit to Paris. 

The members of the mission were entertained in turn at din- 
ner by the Prime Minister M. Rouvier, the American Ambassa- 
dor and Mrs. McCormick, and the Minister of the Navv and Mrs. 




FRENCH AND AMERICAN SAILORS 
SOLDIERS FRATERNIZING 




e 



tf- Lifting The body from the caisson To 6e 
\JO placed in The F<3v,/,on an The 
.^Lyy Esplanade des In fa ■ 
> 1 ^\ 



(vLJF'Jl 



MiMa 








Arrival of An -■ : ' w/'fh , 

The/r fU'._ .. -■ ■ ~c Eco/e \-1//i fa/re, 



American 
EscorT 
leaving the 
Gare des 
Inva/ic/es 
after irs 
arrival front 
Cherbourg. 



o. 




CEREMONIES IN PARIS 




REMAINS OF JOHN PAUL JONES LYING IN STATE IN THE AMERICAN 
CHURCH, PARIS 



Thomson ; the dinner to have been given on the Fourth of July 
by the American Chamber of Commerce was abandoned on ac- 
count of the death of Secretary of State, Mr. Hay. Their visit 
also included a brilliant reception given at the Hotel de ville in 
their honor. All of these entertainments were on a scale of mag- 
nificence that could hardly be surpassed. 

Tbe entertainment given by the Minister of the Navy and Mrs. 
Thomson in their beautiful palace was equal to anything that 
could be given to royalty ; it was like fairyland. The decorations 
were superb ; the entire wall of the front balcony overlooking the 
Place de la Concorde was a mass of flowers and vines, formed by 
colored lights. The elliptical dining table, with its thousands of 
roses and other flowers, gold and silver plate and cut glass was 
beyond description. One striking feature being a double line of 
cuirassiers in their bright helmets, facing each other with sabres 
drawn, who stood like statues on the steps of the staircase leading 
to the reception rooms, forming a human wall between which 
the guests ascended. 

THE CEREMONIES IN PARIS 



When General Horace Porter made his almost prophetic speech 
20 



JOHN TAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



21 



at a dinner given by the American Colony of Paris on Washing- 
ton's birthday, February 22, 1905,111 referring to the efforts to find 
the body of John Panl Jones, he said: "It must be the desire of 
every good, patriotic American citizen that the remains of this 
great hero, the contemporary of Washington, should at last be 
found and conveyed back to the country for which he fought so 
bravely, on one of the finest ships of the American Navy and laid 
to rest under the shadow of the flas: on which he shed so much 




THE COFFIN HOLDING THE REMAINS OF JOHN PAUL JONES, COVERED WITH 
THE STARS AND STRIPES 



glory." Few of those present on that occasion believed that this 
desire would so soon be realized. 

What a proud day it must have been for General Porter when, 
at last, his perseverance was rewarded and when at the farewell 
dinner tendered him by the American Chamber of Commerce in 
Paris Colonel Henry Watterson said, "General Porter has rescued 
John Paul Jones from fiction and restored him to history. He ends 
his career in Paris by the rescue from a forgotten sepulcher of an 
immortal sea fighter." 



22 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



His greatest triumph, however, was on the clay when he hand- 
ed over to Special Ambassador Loomis and Admiral Sigsbee the 
remains of John Paul Jones which he had discovered, and which 
afforded the occasion for the ceremony that emphasized the exist- 
ence of the indissoluble ties of mutual friendship and sympathy 
which bind together the two great republics of the Old and the 
New World. 

On that day, July 6, the anniversarv of his birth. 




INTERIOR OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS DURING THE MEMORIAL 
SERVICE IN HONOR OF JOHN PAUL JONES 



amid the clash of arms, the rolling of drums and 
the strains of martial music, the mortal remains of 
John Paul Jones were carried in triumph through the streets of 
Paris from the American Church in the Avenue de l'Alma to the 
pavilion on the Esplanade des Invalides, almost within sight of 
the tomb of the great Napoleon. No words can describe the 
grandeur of these imposing ceremonies which began with the 
arrival of the American escort from Cherbourg composed of five 
hundred sailors and marines from Admiral Sigsbee's squadron. 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 23 

under command of Lieutenant Commander Harry George. They 
were met at the Gare des Invalides by a number of French officers 
detailed for that purpose and a detachment of the 103d Regiment 
of Infantry and their military band. 

After mutual salutes and the playing of the "Star Spangled 
Banner" and the "Marseillaise," the American escort and the 
French troops marched to the £cole Militaire, where three tents 
had been erected, in which the men were entertained at an 
elaborate luncheon. Everything was done with great liberality and 
perfect courtesy. 

Colonel d'Armany made a speech in English, in which he re- 
ferred to the close friendship existing between France and 
America, and Lieutenant Commander George, in reply, proposed 
the health of the President of France, and jokingly remarked that 
he hoped that some famous Frenchman might find it convenient 
to die in America which would afford the opportunity of 
returning the many civilities and honors shown the American 
officers and men in Paris. 

The memorial service took place in the afternoon in the Ameri- 
can Church of the Avenue de lAlma, where representatives of 
the French Government, members of the diplomatic corps in full 
uniform and prominent members of the American Colony in 
Paris had gathered to witness the formal transfer of the body of 
John Paul Jones by General Horace Porter, Special Ambassador 
for this purpose, to Mr. Francis B. Loomis, appointed by Presi- 
dent Roosevelt to deliver the remains to Admiral Sigsbee. 
Practically the entire Diplomatic Corps of Paris was present ; 
also General Dubois, representing the President of the Republic ; 
Monsieur Rouvier, President of the Council of Ministers and 
Minister of Foreign Affairs; Monsieur Berteaux, Minister of 
War ; Monsieur Gaston Thomson, Minister of Marine ; Monsieur 
Clementel, Minister for the Colonies ; General Brugere, Vice- 
president of the Superior Council of War; Vice-admiral Four- 
nier, member of the Superior Council of the Navy, etc. 

In the church the full dress uniforms of the American and 
French officers made the scene one of striking brilliancv, the 
former occupying, with the special ambassadors and Senator 
Lodge, who was in Paris at the time, the front pews of the north 
side of the aisle and the latter the south side. 

It had been the wish of those who had arranged for the cere- 




VIEWS OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 25 

monies that the funereal note should be excluded and that the 
impression given be that of victor)' rather than death. This inten- 
tion was well carried out in the simple services of the American 
Church conducted by Rev. Dr. Morgan. 

Just before the recessional, General Porter rose, and, standing 
in front of the chancel, addressed Mr. Loomis and the other 
officials present and formally delivered the remains of Paul Jones 
to the Government of the United States in the following words : 

"This day America claims her illustrious dead. 

"In the performance of a solemn duty I have the honor to 
deliver to the Government of the United States, through its 
designated representative, the remains of Admiral John Paul 
Jones, to be borne with appropriate marks of distinction to the 
country upon whose arms his heroic deeds shed so much luster. 
It is believed that their permanent interment in the land to 
whose independence his matchless victories so essentially con- 
tributed will not be lacking in significance by reason of its long 
delay. 

"It is a matter of extreme gratification to feel that the body 
of this intrepid commander should be conveyed across the sea 
by the war vessels of a navy to whose sailors his name is still 
an inspiration, and that this high mission should be confided to 
so gallant an officer of the same noble profession as the dis- 
tinguished admiral who commands the escorting squadron. 

"An earnest expression of recognition is due to the accom- 
plished savants of France, whose acknowledged skill in anthro- 
pologic science confirmed in every particular, with entire accuracy 
and absolute certainty, the identification of the remains which 
were so marvelously preserved.* 

"We owe a cordial tribute of gratitude to the government of 
the French Republic for the cheerful proffer of facilities during 
the search for the body, the sympathy so generously manifested 
upon its recovery, and the signal honors rendered upon this 
occasion to the memory of a hero who once covered two con- 
tinents with his renown in battling for the cherished principles of 
political liberty and the rights of man, for which the two sister 
republics have both so strenuously contended. 



*See pp. 59-63 for the official certification and identification of 
the body by the American Embassy and the French authorities. 



26 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

"All that is mortal of this illustrious organizer of victory on 
the sea lies in yonder coffin beneath the folds of our national 
standard. When Congress adopted the present form of the 
American flag, it embodied in the same resolution the appointment 
of Captain John Paul Jones to command the ship Ranger. When 
he received the news history attributes to him the following 
remark : 'The flag and I are twins ; born the same hour from 
the same womb of destiny. We can not be parted in life or 
in death.' Alas! they were parted during a hundred and thirteen 
years, but happily they are now reunited." 

He was followed by Mr. Loomis, who sketched in graphic 
language the career of the "Founder of the American Navy" 
and made the following speech : 

SPEECH OF SPECIAL AMBASSADOR FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, AT THE 

AMERICAN CHURCH, PARIS, JULY 6, I905, IN 

REGARD TO PAUL JONES 

"The nature of this occasion, coupled with the presence of the 
distinguished American, who has just finished speaking, reminds 
me that, on the banks of the Hudson River, high above the city 
of New York, commanding a prospect of uncommon loveliness, 
stands a stately tomb erected in memory of General Ulysess S. 
Grant, a President of the United States, and perhaps its foremost 
soldier. That memorial structure was erected by the American 
people, almost solely through the brilliant initiative and tireless 
efforts of General Horace Porter, who again has won the grat- 
itude of his countrymen on account of the complete ultimate 
success which has marked his patient, persistent, self-sacrificing 
search for the grave and body of John Paul Jones. 

"France, ever generous, is about to crown the kindness shown to 
the United States during its painful struggle for independence, 
by returning, with conspicuous honors, to that country the remains 
of the founder of the American Navy, who, by his brilliant 
victories proclaimed to the world the rise of a new sea power, and 
flung to the breezes a new flag representing a new nation. 

"It is doubly generous on the part of France to surrender the 
dust of this hero to us, for much of his life was interwoven with 
the French history of his day, and had he been permitted to enjoy 



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ACCOUNT OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BONHOMME RICHARD WITH THE SERAPIS 
(SEE FOOTNOTE ON PAGE 29) 



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ACCOUNT OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BONHOMME RICHARD WITH THE SERAPIS 
(SEE FOOTNOTE ON PAGE 2}) 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 29 

a few years of health, it is known that he would have commanded 
the fleets of France. 

"It was from these hospitable shores that he set sail on the 
memorable cruise which resulted in his victory over the Serapis.* 
It was here that he experienced in the highest degree the joys of 
a conqueror, and it was here that he met some of his most grievous 
disappointments by reason of the penury and divided councils of 
America's representatives, and by reason, too, of professional 
jealousies. Here, laurel-crowned, he returned from his cruise, 
an acknowledged hero, and received with becoming modesty the 
plaudits of a most friendly people. Here he fulfilled his gallant 
promise to lay a captured frigate at the feet of his friend and 
patroness, the Duchess de Chartres, one of the best and loveliest 
French women of her century. Here, too, from the hands of 
King Louis XVI, he received knighthood and a sword of honor. 
Here were heaped upon him social attentions, admiration, and 
many discriminating tributes of friendship and praise. 

"In the genial environment of Paris and Versailles he found 
an atmosphere that caused his heart to glow, his mind to broaden, 
his imagination to kindle with generous enthusiasm and lofty 
dreams for the welfare of mankind. It was in France that 
Jones, one of nature's truest gentlemen and lowly-born Scotch 
gardener's son, came to his own and found those things which 
made life most worth the living, namely, the intelligent, sym- 
pathetic companionship of great men and lovely women, coupled 
with opportunities for high endeavor and professional advance- 
ment, and a chance to draw his sword in defense of cherished 
principles. 

"To France, John Paul Tones was chieflv indebted for those 



*The account of the engagement of the Bonhomme Richard with 
the Serapis as shown on pages 27 and 28 is a facsimile of a manu- 
script written on tzvo pages of rough greenish paper, evidently 
torn out of a log book. This important and valuable historical 
document zvas found by the author among the John Paul Jones 
collection of manuscripts at the Congressional Library in Wash- 
ington, and, to his knowledge, has never been published before. 
It is attributed to Richard Dale, the first Lieutenant of the 
Bonhomme Richard. 



30 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

faithful and momentous opportunities which, as a sea-fighter 
and, later, as a diplomatist, gave him a place among those who 
had achieved enduring renown. His genius contributed largely 
to the organization and construction of the American Navy, and 
in his letter to the Committee of the American Congress, is set 
forth in admirable form the mental, moral, and professional 
requirements essential to a naval officer. His words of wisdom 
are as true, as apt and as valuable to-day as they were the 
day they were written. It is thorough understanding and faithful 
adherence to the principles so clearly and adequately expounded 
by John Paul Jones that give to our naval officers those qualities 
of heart and mind which enable them to command the confidence 
of their countrymen and the respect of their professional col- 
leagues throughout the world. 

"Not only was John Paul Jones a philosopher, a commander, 
a leader of men, a diplomatist; but in an age when letter 
writing was a delightful and mannered art, his epistles were 
noteworthy for their lucidity and charm of style. 

"This veritable sea-king, around whose bier the representatives 
of two republics meet to pledge anew the time-hallowed and 
indestructible friendship and a historic good-will and amity which 
cement them, loved in broad, magnanimous way, all that was 
admirable and lovable in the two peoples, and was willing to 
draw his sword for France and America. To his own country 
his services were but little less useful on land than on sea. His 
diplomatic achievements and correspondence indicate statecraft 
of a high order ; and it is said by one of the greatest living 
authorities on naval affairs that, "Viewed in the light of results 
Jones's diplomatic operations in the Texel lose no luster by com- 
parison with his victories at sea." 

"So, it may be justly said that he played his part as effectively 
on sea, considering his limited opportunities, and accomplished 
as great results for his country, within the scope of these oppor- 
tunities, as did our foremost military commanders on land. He 
fought with daring determination and the cool certainty of 
consummate skill, not for the sake of carnage, not for the 
accumulation of prize money, but because he was convinced that 
he was right, and, being so convinced, he meant to win victories 
at any cost for the principles he loved, and because he believed 




THE NAVAL ACADEMY MINIATURE OF JOHN PAUL JONES, 
PAINTED BY THE COUNTESS DE LA VENDAHL.* 




THE NAVAL ACADEMY MINIATURE OF JOHN PAUL JONES, 
HAIR LOCKET WITH HIS INITIALS 



FOR FULL PARTICULARS ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL MINIATURE SEE ARTICLE 

BY PROFESSOR P. R. ALGER, U. S. N., IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE U. S. 

NAVAL INSTITUTE ( NO. II5). 



$2 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

that fierce, successful fighting- was, in the end, the most merciful, 
and the shortest pathway to peace. He loved, of course, success 
and glory, but he was not a mere soldier of fortune, a fiery cap- 
tain, athirst for blood, treasure and conquest, yearning to mount 
to eminence over men's graves. He could be great, either in 
peace or war. He was profound, accomplished, many-sided. He 
is entitled to distinction as a lover of the human race, as a 
genial, optimistic philosopher, and to gratitude as a brilliant con- 
versationalist, whose wit, grace and informing speech won, at a 
highly opportune moment, a vast deal of substantial good-will 
for the American cause in Europe. 

"This symmetrically-developed man was wholly self-made. His 
most careful biographer says, 'Everything that he was, or that he 
did, or that he knew, was the fruit of self-incentive and self- 
help, to a degree that was. and still is, unexampled in the histories 
of great men. No successful man who ever lived owed so 
much to himself, so little to the adventitious in circumstances/ 

"One likes to dwell upon his achievements in the ways of 
peace, and upon his devotion to what he believed to be sound 
political principles. Said he, "I have drawn my sword only from 
motives of humanity, and in support of the dignity of human 
rights." What warrior ever placed his martial activities upon 
a higher and nobler plain than that? He fought for principles. 
Love of liberty led him into the ranks of the American Revolu- 
tionists, when the safer and easier course for him would have 
been to espouse the cause of the king. 

"Two years' residence in the American Colonies as a landed 
proprietor ; careful study of momentous governmental principles 
at issue; the friendship of such men as Washington, Jefferson, 
Hamilton, Hewes, and other leaders of that period, was enough, 
and more, to convince a man of his swift natural perception, 
originality of ideas, and profound and tireless observation, and 
logical, ordered thought, that a crisis in human affairs had come ; 
so he turned from the allurements of the throne and resolutely 
trod the way which he knew might lead to the scaffold. 

"Fortune was not unkind to him always. He hoisted the first 
American flag that ever flew from an American war vessel on the 
14th of June, 1777, on his ship, the Ranger. The flag was 
authorized and created by Congress in the same resolution which 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 33 

commissioned Jones a Captain, and he said, of the banner, ^That 
flag and I are twins, born at the same hour in the womb of destiny. 
We can not be parted in life or death. So long as we shall 
float, we shall float together ; if we sink, we shall go down as one." 

"Under this flag he came to France, the same year, bearing 
official information of Burgoyne's surrender ; information which 
had much to do in causing Louis XVI to recognize the inde- 
pendence of the United States. 

"It was at this period, February 13. 1778, that the French 
naval commander at Brest fired the first salute ever given by a 
foreign nation to the American flag — such an historic and im- 
portant event, which was arranged through the diplomacy of 
John Paul Jones. 

"With this great sailor, love of freedom was innate and natural 
as was his love for the sea. Beginning his ocean career at twelve, 
he was familiar with the sensation of looking out upon illim- 
itable vistas of water. He studied the pathway of the winds, the 
sweep of ocean currents by day, and the position and the move- 
ments of the stars by night, facing the infinite and with imminent 
peril for his unfailing companion. His seafaring life was an 
experience to shrivel a small, to uplift a noble and great, nature. 
For we may suppose, that during these years of stress, some- 
thing of the strength and purity of the sea entered his soul and 
abided evermore. His love for his fellow men caused him, at 
that early date, to detest the institution of human slavery, and, 
later, to refuse to resume his plantation life after the war, for 
the reason that, under the then existing economic and social 
conditions, agricultural success could only be achieved through 
the employment of slave labor. 

"John Paul Jones died in France at the period when France had 
great need of his services ; and Napoleon deplored the untimely 
death that robbed him of a great admiral. The conjunction of 
these two warriors of genius might have changed the history of 
the world. 

"America unfortunately exemplified the adage that Republics 
are ungrateful, for in the stress and struggle of building a new 
country, she forgot for a time her departed hero. France, be 
it said to her credit, remembered Paul Jones in appropriate, 
handsome and touching ways, showing as ever her keen and 
3 






c y /< ■ / v 

/ . 

./.<•-. <»</<- /,,,-j /y/» l -'vv/«f//-' <-/\/ /./^ c^r£Hic^t</ fc*</ //teirtrit*"' "<* s ' 



\ 



FACSIMILE OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER BY LA MOTTE PICQUET, GRANTING JOHN 

P\UL JONES' REQUEST TO EXCHANGE SALUTES WITH THE FRENCH 

FLEET. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE AMERICAN FLAG HAD 

BEEN SALUTED BY A FOREIGN POWER 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 35 

TRANSLATION OF LETTER BY LA MOTTE PICOUET 

Sir: 

If the frigate Ranger and the brig Independefice salute the 
Royal Ensign (flag) with 13 guns in case they be commanded 
by officers (duly appointed) by Congress, I will return nine 
guns ; they are, moreover, at perfect liberty not to salute at all. I 
have the honor to assure you of the respectful sentiments with 
which I am, Sir, 

Your very humble and 

very obedient servant, 

February 13, 1778. La Motte Picquet. 

I shall be delighted to see Mr. Williams. Please convey my 
thanks to him and to Mr. Carmicael (Carmichael). I have the 
honor to send greetings (to bid good evening) to the Marquis de 
Vienne. 



THE FLAG OF PAUL JONES 

The author is indebted to Colonel Oswald Tilghman, Secretary of 
State of Maryland for the following interesting data relative to the flag 
of John Paul Jones. 

Rear-Admiral George Henry Preble, U. S. N., in his History of "The 
Flag of the United States of America, and other National Flags," pub- 
lished in 1880, gives a cut of the "Hag of the Bonhonune Richard said to 
have been zvorn during her action with the Serapis, Sept. 23, I779-" 

This Hag, in the year 1880, belonged to Samuel Bayard Stafford of 
Trenton, N. J. Admiral Preble says "The Hag is of English bunting, and 
about eight and one-half yards long and one yard five inches zvide. It 
is sewed with flax thread, and contains TWELVE white stars in a blue 
union, and thirteen stripes alternately red and white. The stars are 
arranged in four horizontal lines, three stars in each line. Why its 
union has TWELVE stars, unless they could find no symmetrical place for 
the odd star is a mystery. It has been suggested that only twelve of the 
colonies had consented to the confederation at the date of its manu- 
facture; but all the colonies had confederated before the adoption of the 
stars in 1777, and the consent of Georgia, the last to assent, was symbolised 
in the flag of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, at Cambridge, as 
early as Jan. 1, 1776." 

Secretary Tilghman claims that the State of Maryland and not the 
State of Georgia represents the missing thirteenth star on the flag of 
John Paul Jones, for the reason that it zvas not until October, 1780, that 
the General Assembly of Maryland passed "An Act {Chap. XL, Acts of 
1780) to empower the Delegates of this State in Congress to subscribe and 
ratify the Articles of Confederation, being about thirteen months AFTER 
the action between the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis; and as a 
matter of fact the Delegates from Maryland did not sign the Articles of 
Confederation until March 15th, 178 1. 




PLACING THE COFFIN OF JOHN PAUL JONES ON THE ARTILLERY CAISSON AFTER 
THE MEMORIAL SERVICES AT THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS 



splendid appreciation of genius and valor — an appreciation which 
is magnanimous and magnificent in its scope, knowing neither 
race nor nationality. 

"The National Assembly of France, when notified of John 
Paul Jones's death on the 19th of July, 1792, paid immediate and 
appropriate respect to his memory by suspending the order of 
the day and accepting a suitable resolution, appointing a com- 
mittee of twelve members to attend the funeral. 

"In the latest biographies of Admiral Jones, it is stated that, 
before the resolution was adopted, in silence, by a rising vote, 
a member of the Assembly said, "I trust the feeling of personal 
bereavement universal in this body may be granted brief expres- 
sion. What Paul Jones has done for the rights of men need 
not to be told to Frenchmen. What more he stood pledged 
almost with his last breath to do, if spared, is known to many 
Frenchmen." 

"Bertrand Barere, then at the height of his fame as a powerful 
and popular orator, delivered from the portico of the Palace of 
Justice an impassioned oration on the achievements of his dead 
36 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 37 

friend — John Paul Jones. The first memoir of Jones was pub- 
lished by Benoit- Andre at Paris, in 1798. 

"Think for a moment what opportunity for the biographer his 
brief, but crowded career presents : Sailor boy at twelve ; officer 
at seventeen ; captain at twenty; in the merchant service of the 
North Atlantic ; East Indiaman and Virginian planter, all before 
he had passed the age of twenty-seven. Naval Lieutenant at 
twenty-eight, Captain at twenty-nine, Commodore at thirty-two ; 
the ocean hero of the Old World and the New at thirty-three ; a 
knight of France ; the most famous sea-victor of his time ; patron- 
ized by kings ; petted by duchesses of the royal blood ; thanked 
by Congress, and the trusted friend and sometimes associate of 
Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, Hamilton, and 
Morris. At thirty-six, selected as special envoy to the most 
aristocratic of courts, charged with the most delicate and intricate 
of missions — the adjudication and collection of international 
claims, without any guide or precedence. At forty, voted a gold 
medal by Congress ; at forty-one, a Vice- Admiral in the Imperial 
Navy of Russia and winning victories over the Turks ; at forty- 
three, a prominent figure in the thrilling overture of that tremen- 
dous drama, the French Revolution ; died at forty-five ; disinterred 
one hundred and thirteen years later from a dismal and forgotten 
grave and brought here this afternoon, receiving merited honors, 
too long delayed. 

"I have the honor, on behalf of the President of the United 
States, to accept the custody of the casket which encloses the 
remains of Admiral Jones, and to commit them to the worthy 
hands of Admiral Sigsbee. They will be borne over the seas, back 
to the land he served so well, where I am confident the justice 
and generosity of a great people will move them to render ample 
homage to the memory of a man to whom all the world un- 
grudgingly awards the august meed of immortal fame." 

Mr. Loomis was in turn followed by Admiral Sigsbee, whose 
address deserves to be given in full. 

ADDRESS OF REAR-ADMIRAL SIGSBEE AT THE CLOSE OF THE MEMORIAL 
SERVICES AT THE AMERICAN CHURCH, PARIS 

"Mr. Ambassador : I am here in command of a squadron of 



38 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

United States war vessels, and am charged with the transportation 
of the remains of Admiral John Paul Jones to the United States. 

"Although it was largely by the aid of France that our hero 
fought conspicuously, he fought in the service and for the cause 
of the United States. It is therefore fitting that his remains 
should find their last resting place within our own boundaries. 
Since he was the greatest of our earliest naval commanders, it is 
appropriate that his remains should be transferred to a guardian- 
ship of the naval service. 

"The President of the United States in the exercise of his ever 
friendly and correct judgment in all that pertains to the naval 
service of his country, has decided that the remains shall be 
deposited in perpetuity within the walls of the chapel of the 
Naval Academy at Annapolis. It can not be doubted that their 
presence in that institution will serve as an encouragement and 
as an example to all future generations of our Navy. Our 
President had this object in view when he chose the Naval 
Academy. 

"It will be remembered by the Navy of the United States 
that these remains of a naval officer were recovered through 
the initiative and the efforts of General Horace Porter, a graduate 
of the United States Military Academy at West Point. The 
Army and Navy of the United States, therefore, come together 
in patriotic and fraternal sentiment on this occasion. General 
Porter may be well assured that my own appreciation of his 
labors is shared by the whole naval service, which he has so 
greatly honored. We shall ever regard him affectionately. 

"The occasion which calls us here has also served to bring 
together, in remembrance of our joint history, the Army and 
Navy of France and the Army and Navy of the United States. 
If ever the gratitude of the United States to France may seem 
to be latent, we Americans have only to open a history of our 
War for Independence in order to quicken our sentiment and 
to compel our blessings. 

"I take advantage of this opportunity, Mr. Ambassador, to 
request you to express, through appropriate channels and in 
behalf of myself and of the whole personnel of my command, our 
thanks for the many honors paid us by the President of France, 
and by the personnel — civil, military, and naval — of his govern- 




GOLD MEDAL VOTED BY CONGRESS TO JOHN PAUL JONES IN 1787 

AND EXECUTED UNDER HIS PERSONAL SUPERVISION IN 

PARIS BY DUPRE* 




REVERSE OF THE MEDAL SHOWING THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE 
BONHOMME RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS 



*SEE FOOTNOTE ON PAGES 45, 46. 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 41 

ment, and of the city of Paris. Their action signalizes the interest 
of the French people in the object of our present mission to 
France. Our time has been so filled by honors and events that 
I fail to conceive any other way of acknowledging our indebted- 
ness within the time remaining at ou r disposal. 

"I beg, also, Air. Ambassador, to present to the American 
Ambassador at Paris, to General Porter, and to yourself, the 
thanks of my officers and myself for the kind consideration both 
official and personal, that you have severally shown us in con- 
nection with the duty to which we have been appointed. 

"I am here, as you well know, Mr. Ambassador, as a Naval 
Representative of the Navy Department at Washington. I am 
directed in my orders from the Navy Department to receive 
from you these remains. You have decided to transfer them 
to my charge in Paris. Therefore, I hereby accept from you 
the honor and the further responsibility, with the assurance that 
my command will bear the remains of John Paul Jones most 
reverently to their final resting place within the Naval Academy 
at Annapolis." 

When Admiral Sigsbee had concluded, the surpliced choir 
marched to the entrance of the church singing the stirring 
hymn, "Onward, Christian Soldiers." The twelve stalwart sailors 
selected as body-bearers from Admiral Sigsbee's squadron bore 
the coffin to the street where it was placed on a gun-carriage 
decorated with French and American colors and floral offerings, 
among which was a magnificent wreath from the Commander-in- 
Chief, officers, and men of the American squadron. 

At 5 p. m. the procession formed and proceeded along the 
Avenue de l'Alma to the Champs Elysees, under the command 
of General Frey. In the cortege preceded by a squad of 
policemen, were two regiments of French infantry, with their 
bands, one regiment of cuirassiers, two batteries of artillery, two 
companies of American marines, and six companies of "blue- 
jackets" from the American warships. The cortege moved slowly 
down the magnificent Avenue des Champs Elysees to the Pont 
Alexandre III, between a dense multitude of reverent spectators 
whose enthusiasm could hardly be checked by the inspiring sight 
of the soldiers of France and America marching side by side, 
honoring a hero whose fame belonged to both countries alike 






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PRIVATE DAY AND NIGHT SIGNALS IN FRENCH FOR JOHN PAUL JONES' SQUAD- 
RON. THE ORIGINAL OF THIS MANUSCRIPT IN JOHN PAUL JONES' 
HANDWRITING IS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE NAVAL ACADEMY 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 43 

TRANSLATION OF THE PRIVATE SIGNALS USED BY 
THE JOHN PAUL JONES SQUADRON. 

INSCRIPTION ON ENVELOPE. 

Private (Recognition) Signals to be opened only when needed. 

(Signed) Jno. P. Jones. 

PRIVATE DAY SIGNALS '. 

The Vessel Asking :■ — 

Will hoist the Dutch Flag at yard arm and one minute after- 
wards will fire one gun. 

The Vessel Answering : — 

Will fire one gun, and one minute afterwards will hoist the 
English Flag at the mast head. 

Upon which the vessel asking will lower the Dutch Flag and 
hoist the French Flag in the same place. 

PRIVATE NIGHT SIGNALS : 

The Vessel Asking : — 

Will show three flares horizontally. 

The Vessel Answering : — 

Will fire one gun and show two lights, one above the 
other. 

Upon which the vessel asking will extinguish one light leaving 
only two showing. 

When within hail, the watchword of the day will be given. Be- 
fore midnight, the first word will be given (in challenge) and 
will be answered with the second. After midnight, the second 
word will be given (in challenge) and will be answered with the 
first. 

The watch words will be numbered from one to thirty-one, 
because it is arranged that the date of the day will give the 
word, observing that the astronomical day from noon to noon 
will be used. 




P'd forf>ec/o boa*- Z-Ou.ave 
J 11 J f/of///a of Fne/icfy and 



3 French man-of-war /p 



|i AJmi'ra/ Tre houar/~jif 

[5 Cherbourg 2 

THE CEREMONIES AT CHERBOURG OF THE TRANSFER OF THE REMAINS ON BOARD 
THE U. S. FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN, JULY 8tH, I905 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 45 

as he won his victory on the Bonhomme Richard with a crew 
equally composed of French and American sailors and marines. 

At the Esplanade des Invalides a pavilion had been erected 
where the coffin was placed on a bier, covered with flags and a 
profusion of flowers. Behind the bier the French and American 
flags draped together formed a beautiful background to the 
brilliant crowd of ambassadors and dignitaries of all nations 
who reverently surrounded the catafalque bearing" the remains of 
the great sea-fighter, who, as captain of the Ranger had raised the 
first American flag and had received from a French man-of-war 
the first salute ever given to this flag by a foreign nation. 

What an inspiring sight it was to see the soldiers of France and 
America passing in review in front of the remains of John 
Paul Jones, twice saluting the body covered with the Stars and 
Stripes of America and the Tricolor of France, their bands 
playing the American and French national anthems ! A sight 
never to be forgotten, which should be commemorated by the 
government by casting a medal* reproducing the beautiful medal- 

*"The following is the text of a resolution by which Congress 
ordered a medal to be struck and presented to John Paul Jones 
and a letter to be written to the King of France, Louis XVI, in- 
form in g him of that fact. 

"In Congress, October r6, 1787. 
"Resolved unanimously. That a medal of gold be struck, and 
presented to the Chevalier John Paul Jones, in commemoration of 
the valor and brilliant services of that officer, in the command of 
a squadron of America and French ships under the flag and com- 
mission of the United States off the court of Great Britain, in tin- 
late war; and that the Hon. Mr. Jefferson, Minister Plenipoten- 
tiary of the United States at the Court of Versailles, have the 
same executed with the proper devices. 

"Resolved, That a letter be written to His Most Christian Ma- 
jesty, informing him that the United States in Congress assem- 
bled have bestowed upon the Chevalier John Paul Jones this 
medal, as well in consideration of the distinguished marks of 
approbation which His Majesty has been pleased to confer upon 
that officer, as from a sense of his merit; and that, as it is his 
earnest desire to acquire greater knowledge in his profession, if 



46 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

lion that was voted by Congress to John Paul Jones and which 
was executed under his personal supervision by the famous 
sculptor Dupre, a golden replica of which was presented to 
General Porter in recognition of his distinguished services by a 
patriotic American citizen living in Paris, Mr. Edward Tuck. 

In the evening the coffin covered with flags and flowers that 
hid all emblems of mourning was transferred to the mortuary 
train and placed in a sealed compartment under a guard of honor 
of American sailors and taken to Cherbourg. 

ARRIVAL AT CHERBOURG OF THE FUNERAL TRAIN 

Upon arrival at Cherbourg the next morning, the funeral 
train was met by a detachment of French Colonial Infantry, 
the railway officials, and Lieutenant-commander Holcombe, repre- 
senting Admiral Sigsbee. The American sailors of the escort 
had in the meantime left the train and formed a line facing it. 
The seal of the mortuary car was broken, the battalion pre- 
sented arms and drooped colors. The body was then borne to 
the temporary chapel arranged in a tent at the commercial 
wharf by the care of Vice-Admiral Besson, Prefet Maritime, 
which was beautifully decorated with flags, panoplies, and arms 
from the arsenal, on each side of the door being an escutcheon 
of the United States. 

A picket of American "bluejackets" and French Colonial 
Infantry was detailed as a squad of honor, one of each standing 
at attention at the right and left of the coffin, which was covered 
with wreaths, among them being a magnificent cross of roses, 
pansies and violets, sent by the daughter of the Prefet Maritime, 
Mile. Besson, who with gentle solicitude had arranged the floral 
tributes around the bier. 



would be acceptable to Congress that His Majesty would be 
pleased to permit him to embark until his fleets of evolution, con- 
vinced that he can nowhere else so well acquire that knowledge 
which may hereafter render him more extensively useful. 

"Ordered, That the Secretary for Foreign Affairs prepare a 
letter for the above purpose, to be signed by the President; and 
that the Chevalier Jones be the bearer of said letter." 




PORTRAIT OF VICE-ADMIRAL BESSON, PREFECT MARITIME OF CHERBOURG 



48 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

During the ceremonies of the translation of the remains from 
the temporary chapel to the French torpeclo-boat Zouave, Vice- 
Admiral Cesson made to the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sigs- 
bee, and his officers, the farewell address so beautifully expressed 
in these words : 

ADDRESS OF VICE-ADMIRAL BESSON AT CHERBOURG, JULY 8, I905 

"Admiral and Gentlemen: You are longing to take on board 
the Brooklyn, where they will at last rest on the territory and 
under the flag of the United States, these venerated remains 
of Admiral Paul Jones ; I understand your patriotic impatience, 
therefore. I shall not detain you to listen to a new eulogy on the 
well-known and so marvelously successful career of your illus- 
trious compatriot. 

"But at the moment when his ashes are about to leave the 
hospitable land which for one hundred and thirteen years has 
carefully guarded them in her bosom, it is my duty to give to 
them, in the name of the French Navy, a last salute. 

"Your hearts as well as ours are to-day closely brought to- 
gether in common sympathy. In the month of February, 1778, 
in the bay of Ouiberon, the squadron of the Commander-in-Chief, 
La Motte Picquet, was the first to salute the starry flag of the 
young Republic of the United States. This flag was that of 
Commodore Jones. 

"And truly upon this solemn occasion, there was none more 
worthy than this gallant sailor to represent his country and to 
receive for her this public declaration of her admission to the 
ranks of nations. 

"After some brilliant services rendered the cause of independ- 
ence in American waters, he had been directed to make a diver- 
sion in European waters and was returning at that time from a 
memorable cruise in the Irish Sea. He was then, as commander of 
a squadron of French ships, sailing under American colors on 
the eve of that famous battle of Flamborough, the most extra- 
ordinary in his life, so rich already in remarkable deeds. 

"It is my privilege to recall that Paul Jones led French vessels 
to victory, that his brilliant achievements caused him to be 
received among us with an enthusiastic welcome, that at the 

■'Translation by the author. 




CEREMONIES AT CHERBOURG 



50 JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 

outbreak of our Revolution, he again offered his services in 
our Navy, and that when a short time afterward, he died at the 
age of forty-five, our Legislative Assembly attended his funeral. 

"It is therefore to one of our own brothers in arms of the end 
of the eighteenth century that we render here the last honors. 

"This hero, whose exploits have given such brilliant luster to 
the dawn of the American Navy, is one of those who have most 
contributed in cementing these ties of friendship between our 
two nations, yet unbroken, after more than a century. 

"In the name of the French Navy, I salute with respect, the 
memory of Admiral Paul Jones, and I hope that the ashes 
of this illustrious sailor may speedily accomplish their triumphal 
return to his grateful country which now reclaims them." 

THE CEREMONIES AT CHERBOURG OF THE TRANSFER OF THE 
REMAINS ON BOARD THE U. S. FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN 

The following is an extract from the log of the Brooklyn, of 
July 8, 1905, which, in its technical phraseology, graphically 
describes this memorable historical event : 

"At 12:30 the Commander-in-chief and his personal staff, the 
Commanding Officer, and all officers, except those on actual 
duty, left the ship in special full dress uniform to attend the 
ceremonies in connection with the transfer from the shore to 
this vessel of the remains of Vice- Admiral John Paul Jones, which 
were found and turned over to the United States Government 
through the efforts of General Horace Porter, late American 
Ambassador to France. There was also landed for the same 
purpose one company of marines and one company of seamen 
under arms. At 1 :20 the remains were placed on board the 
French torpedo-boat Zouave, which vessel, escorted by a flotilla 
of pulling boats on either quarter, steamed slowly out to the 
Brooklyn. 

"The escort on the starboard quarter consisted of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief in his barge, the commanding officers of all the 
vessels of the squadron in their gigs, and the officers of the 
squadron in cutters. The latter boats also contained delegations 
of French Army officers, the Mayor of Cherbourg, and civil 
officials. 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 5 1 

"The escort on the port quarter consisted of Vice-Admiral 
Besson, the Prefet Maritime, and his staff in his barge, Rear- 
Admiral Leygue, commanding the French squadron in port in 
his barge, the commanding officers of the French squadron in 
their gigs, and the officers of the French squadron in cutters. 

"Beginning with the departure from shore, the French flagship 
Bouvines fired a salute of fifteen guns, and one minute after the 
last of these, this vessel fired fifteen minute guns. The colors 
of both squadrons were half-masted with the first gun. On 
approaching this vessel, the Zouave steamed alongside and the 
boats forming the escort discharged their passengers at the gang- 
way, where they were received with side honors. The casket 
was hoisted on board and placed upon the quarter-deck hatch. 
Chaplain G. L. Bayard read prayers from the funeral service, 
after which the casket was lowered to the gun-deck and placed 
upon the catafalque which had been prepared for it. The jetties 
were profusely decorated with French and American flags, and 
many were displayed in the city. The Zouave carried the 
American flag at her masthead and the French flag at her staff. 
By direction of the Commander-in-chief, the following paragraph 
is inserted in the log : 

' 'Mr. Loomis, Special Ambassador, in his remarks at the 
time of the formal transfer of the remains in Paris, to Rear- 
Admial Sigsbee, referred to John Paul Jones as a Vice-Admiral 
and this fact determined the number of minute guns to be fired 
at the time the remains were taken on board the Brooklyn. At 
the request of Vice-Admiral Besson, no personal salutes were 
fired on the departure of the visiting flag officers.' '' 

MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR SEA 

The Brooklyn, followed by the other ships of the American 
squadron, slowly steamed out to sea, firing a national salute upon 
leaving the shores of France. While passing out of the roadstead 
of Cherbourg the American sailors gave a parting cheer to the 
French Squadron, which was heartily returned by the French 
sailors. 

THE RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES 

On the return voyage nothing of special interest occurred. 




\c/mirat St'tfsbi 
<and ft/s" 
Captains , 



fc) The Ga/v 



■ &n, /gcoma , Chat+a. 



THE RETURN OF ADMIRAL SIGSBEE's SQUADRON TO THE UNITED STATES 




es Co ^; n<? Admiral <S'S ft=A 
^ef off Ca/se Henry. ^L-J 

IT 

FRENCH AND AMERICAN MEN-OF-WAR THAT TOOK PART IN THE CEREMONIES 



On Friday morning, July 21, when about one hundred and 
fifty miles off New York, the Paul Jones squadron under Ad- 
miral Sigsbee sighted the battle-ship Maine, bearing the flag 
of Rear-Admiral Evans, Commander-in-Chief of the North 
Atlantic fleet, which had been on the lookout with the battle-ships 
Missouri, Kentucky, and Kcarsarge, which were stationed in a 
line extending about forty miles eastward. After firing a salute 
of fifteen guns in honor of the remains of Vice-Admiral Jones, 
which was returned by the Brooklyn, the Maine took the lead, 
followed by the other battle-ships of the squadron as an escort of 
honor. 

53 



54 JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 

About 4 p. m. the second division of battle-ships, commanded 
by Rear-Admiral Davis, consisting of the Alabama, the Illinois, 
and the Massachusetts, joined the fleet, with the Iowa, which came 
up later, forming a grand procession of twelve war ships, carrying 
over six thousand men and presenting an imposing sight with the 
flagship Brooklyn in the center of the column. 

On the morning of Saturday, July 22, upon arrival inside the 
Capes of Virginia, Admiral Evans's squadron left the formation 
and took up position off Cape Henry, allowing the other vessels 
and the Brooklyn to pass slowly, during which ceremony fifteen 
minute guns were fired simultaneously from the battle-ships of the 
first division, each ship having her flag at half-mast, and the 
Brooklyn playing the national anthem. After this solemn cere- 
mony, Admiral Sigsbee's squadron, escorted by the second division 
of battle-ships, proceeded, while Admiral Evans's ships returned 
to Hampton Roads, Va. The two squadrons anchored for the 
night off Thomas Point and arrived at 9 a. m. the following morn- 
ing in view of Annapolis, where the French man-of-war Jurien de 
la Gravicrc, which had come to take part in the exercises, was 
sighted. 

THE CEREMONIES AT THE NAVAL ACADFMY 

On Monday morning, July 24, the body of America's greatest 
naval hero was transferred from the Brooklyn to the Naval 
Academy on the naval tug Standish amid the booming of guns 
fired in his honor by the American and French men-of-war, and 
placed in the temporary vault that had been erected for this 
purpose. 

The ceremonies at the Naval Academy were purely of a naval 
character, neither President Roosevelt nor Governor Warfield of 
Maryland being present. They took place at 10 a. m. when the 
remains were landed from the Standish on a beautifully decorated 
float in the basin facing the Severn River. Everything was 
done with the same precision and clocklike regularity that had 
characterized the whole expedition from beginning to end, and 
nothing happened to mar the solemnity of the occasion. After 
a heavy rain which lasted until the early morning hours the sun 
shone brightly, when the naval hero's remains reached the 
American shore. They were met at the float by Admiral Sands, 




m 



Sy officers, midship- ^ 
men anc/saiiors in 
front- of rhe tempo- 
rarf yauif during Me 
ceremonies. 



V. 



atf 1 



4 Line of officers in front- of the 
0\r Memorial Chape/, safuting -the regains 
of John Fteui Jones. 



THE CEREMONIES AT ANNAPOLIS, JULY 24, IQOS 



56 JOIxN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

Superintendent of the Naval Academy, Chaplain Clark and the 
commanding officers of the American men-of-war of the squad- 
ron who acted as pall-bearers with Captain Gervais of the Jurieii 
de la Graviere, who had sent a detachment of sailors from his 
ship to act as an escort of honor with the sailors and marines of 
the American ships and the midshipmen of the fourth class of 
the Naval Academy. 

After the leaden coffin had been placed in a hearse, the cor- 
tege proceeded slowly, accompanied by the strains of a funeral 
dirge played by the Naval Academy band, to the front of the 
temporary vault, near the new Memorial Chapel, where Chaplain 
Clark read the burial service and offered the following prayer : 

"God of our fathers, we praise Thee for the life and memory 
of him whose mortal remains are now to find resting place under 
the flag he so loved, in the nation he did so much to create. We 
thank Thee that Thou didst show in him qualities of manhood 
that not only create, but preserve and perpetuate nations. As 
all that is earthly of him is committed to the reverent care and 
devotion of the land whose debt to him is beyond all price, may 
the sublime lessons of his courage and patience and resource and 
hopefulness and consecration be charged anew with moral power 
to more deeply fire and impress every American heart. 

"Grant that the nation so rich in the heritage of great names 
may more and more guide its life by standards of highest honor 
and righteousness. Free us from every motive that can pervert 
our deeds, that can hurt our influence among the nations of the 
earth. Make us equal to our high trust, reverent in our use of 
freedom, just in the exercise of power, tender and pitiful toward 
ignorance and weakness, and may we walk lovingly and humbly 
in Thy sight, in all these ways endeavoring to show the depth 
of our gratitude for the men who, by the greatness of Thy call 
to them and in the execution of the work allotted to them, made 
us a sovereign people, made possible the greatness and the hap- 
piness that crown our national life. Hear us, our Heavenly 
Father, in this our prayer, for Christ's sake." 

When the prayer had been concluded the French and American 
sailors who acted as body-bearers, carried the casket into the 
vault while the Naval Academy band played Chopin's Funeral 
March. 



58 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

The pall-bearers then stepped back and saluted the dead hero, 
a squad of marines fired a volley over the vault and a bugler 
sounded taps, the strains of this exquisite tune dying out slowly, 
listened to by a large crowd of reverent spectators who wit- 
nessed the ceremony in dead silence. It was a most solemn and 
impressive spectacle, forming a fitting finale to the ceremonies 
that had taken place in France in honor of the famous sea- 
captain. 

Thus ended this beautiful ceremony which now goes down to 
history as one of the most impressive demonstrations of inter- 
national honors ever paid to a naval hero. 

The final ceremonies, which will be of a national character, 
will take place at Annapolis on April 24, 1906, this date having 
been selected as being the anniversary of the capture of the 
English man-of-war Drake by the U. S. S. Ranger in command 
of John Paul Jones. It is expected that these ceremonies will form 
the greatest military and naval pageant ever witnessed in the 
United States, and will be celebrated jointly by the United States 
and France in the presence of the representative squadrons of 
both countries. 



How General Horace Porter Recov- 
ered the Body of Paul Jones 




O SEEK for the body of Paul Jones in the 
immense city of Paris, seemingly at the outset 
was a wild undertaking. That General Porter 
was occupied, at his own personal expense, six 
years with the quest is evidence of the difficul- 
ties he encountered ; but careful and discrimi- 
nating at all times, he conducted the search in 
a manner so strictly scientific that finally he achieved success, and 
when the body was found its identification was simple, plain, 
and convincing. As General Porter's own statement of his 
patriotic service is readily accessible* the present article will at- 
tempt but little more than a summary. 

The first step in the search, which began in June, 1899, was to 
go through all writings relating to Paul Jones. This furnished 
three important data : first, a transcript of the burial certificate 
found in the Bibliotheque Nationale (the original in an annex 
of the Hotel de Ville had been destroyed in 1871) stating that 
Jones "was buried in the cemetery for foreign Protestants ;" 
second, a letter of Colonel Samuel Blackden, an American in 
Paris at the time of Jones' death, written to Mrs. Jenny Taylor 
(Jones' elder sister) informing her that "His body was put 
into a leaden coffin . . . that, in case the United States, 
which he had so essentially served, and with so much honor, 
should claim his remains, they might be more easily removed ;" 
and third, a letter found in the French National Archives of 
1792, stating that "M. Simonneau has furnished the cost of inter- 



'See The Century Magazine, October, 1905. 



59 




lillfiggiSS 



HOUSE IN PARIS IN WHICH JOHN PAUL JONES DIED. THE APARTMENT HE 

OCCUPIED IS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE BUILDING AT THE LEFT, 

NO. 42, RUE DE TOURNON (NOW NO. 19) 



merit of Admiral Paul Jones, of which the bill amounts to four 
hundred and sixty-two francs." 

From the first, which speaks of the place of burial, after a 
long and painstaking examination of cemetery records, city maps, 
and various public documents, the conclusion was reached that 
Jones must have been interred in the old abandoned cemetery of 
Saint Louis, located in the squalid northeastern section of modern 
Paris at the corner of Rue Grange-aux-Belles and Rue des ficluses 
Saint Martin. The existence of a cemetery once occupying this 
site had been quite forgotten ; some years after Jones' death when 
it had ceased to serve as a burying ground it was used as a garden, 
60 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 6l 

later it became a dumping ground for all kinds of disagreeable 
refuse ; at the present time it is partially covered with a laundry 
and several inferior buildings. 

The general site of the burial place of Jones having been defi- 
nitely determined, in February, 1905, General Porter began a care- 
ful examination of the small cemetery. Under the direction of M. 
Paul Weiss, Inspector of the Quarries of the Seine and an ex- 
perienced mining engineer, five shafts were sunk, galleries were 
led from them in all directions, and the intervening spaces were 
probed by long iron tools constructed for the purpose. Because of 
the information contained in Colonel Blackden's letter only leaden 
coffins were considered. Five were found ; the first, second and 
fourth had inscriptions which showed at once they did not con- 
tain the body sought ; the fifth disclosed a man over six feet 
tall, and, as the famous commodore was only five feet seven 
inches, could be quickly passed by. The third, discovered on 
March 31, contained the body of John Paul Jones. 

The last mentioned coffin in its solidity and its finished work- 
manship was considerably superior to the other four, which is 
consistent with the statement previously cited that M. Simonneau 
had paid four hundred and sixty-two francs for the funeral ex- 
penses — at that time a hospital patient could be buried for eighty- 
nine francs. The body had been packed in hay and straw, and, 
as the coffin had been filled with alcohol, was extremely well pre- 
served ; this, further, is in agreement with the suggestion con- 
veyed in Colonel Blackden's letter, "that, in case the United States, 
which he [Jones] had so essentially served, and with so much 
honor, should claim his remains they might be more easily re- 
moved." 

The excellent preservation of the body by the alcohol, with 
the flesh intact, and the abundant description that has come 
down to us of the personal appearance of Paul Jones made the 
identification so plain and positive as to leave no room for doubt. 
The most important evidence may be grouped under five heads : 

1. Striking resemblance of features to the medal by Dupre 
voted by Congress in 1787, and executed under the personal su- 
pervision of Paul Jones himself in Paris. 

2. Agreement of measurements with those of the bust of Jones 
by Houdon, a contemporary and admirer, there being no variance 
greater than 7-100 of an inch. 



62 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



3. Length of body, color of the hair, peculiar formation of the 
ear, and condition of teeth corresponding exactly with the 
personal description of Jones furnished by contemporaries. 

4. The cap in which the hair was done up, marked with an 
initial "J," with the loop well rounded, or if turned upside 
down, "P." 

5. The proof furnished by the autopsy (one hundred and thir- 
teen years after death) that the subject had suffered from pneu- 
monia, interstitial nephritis, commonly called Bright's disease, 
and other physical ailments that Jones was known to have had. 




TOP OF ONE OF THE SHAFTS OF THE WORK OF EXCAVATION IN FINDING THE 
BODY OF JOHN PAUL JONES 



The genuineness of the identification was attested in the report 
sent to our government by the American Embassy and Consulate, 
as well as by the leading officials of the Municipality of Paris 
and distinguished savants, among whom were M.M. Justin de 
Selves (Prefect of the Seine), Louis Lepine (Prefect of Police), 
Dr. Capitan (Professor of the School of Anthropology, late 
President of the Society of Anthropology of Paris), Dr. 
Papillault (Assistant Director of the Laboratory of Anthropology 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 63 

of the ficole des Hautes fitudes, Professor in the School of 
Anthropology), Dr. Herve, Dr. Faval, and Professor Cornil. 

It was the eminent Dr. Capitan and Papillanlt who verified 
the identification of the body by the autopsy. They made a de- 
tailed report, the substance of which is given in Le Temps, July 
19, 1905: 

"We know that the celebrated Sailor had manifested some very 
grave pulmonary symptoms toward the close of his life, and that 
they were localized in the left lung. Further, that sometime be- 
fore his death, he had had dropsy of the lower extremities, 
descending to the feet and ascending to the abdomen, indicating 
also a renal affection. The autopsy of the cadaver showed the 
organs impregnated with an alcoholic liquid, contracted, brownish, 
but so well preserved that Professor Cornil was able to make his- 
tological sections, identical with those of the viscera obtained in 
an autopsy of our own times. The microscopic examination 
showed with the greatest exactness, that the liver was normal, 
that there existed in the left lung especially foci of chronic 
broncho-pneumonia, and in the kidneys multiple lesions of the 
glomeruli, indicating an advanced interstitial nephritis. These 
histological lesions accord thus perfectly, we see, with the clinical 
signs presented toward the end of his life by Jones. It is remark- 
able that this is the first time that the identification of a cadaver 
has been realized, by means of these diverse methods, a century 
after the death of the subject." 



• 




Naval, School 






Founded October lOth, 1845, 




! JAMES K. POLK, 




President of the U. States, 




GEO. BANCROFT, 




Secretary of the Navy. 


1 


MARBLE SLAB LAID AT THE FOUNDATION OF THE NAVAL ACADEMY IN l8^ 


s 




The United States Naval Academy 



THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF JOHN TAUL JONES 




HE most notable event in the history of the 
United States Naval Academy will be the cere- 
monies in honor of John Paul Jones, the first 
of our naval heroes to be buried within its 
walls ; and it is a happy coincidence that the 
recovery of his body in Paris should have oc- 
curred at a time when the new Naval Academy 
was nearing completion. 

Several other resting places for the reception of the body of 
Paul Jones had been suggested, but none could have been more 
appropriate than the Memorial Chapel of the Naval Academy, 
which is destined to be the Westminster Abbey of the American 
Navy and should contain the remains or commemorative tablets 
of Barry and Decatur, Lawrence and Perry, Preble and Biddle, 
Farragut, Porter, Sampson and other famous naval Commanders. 
5 ^ 



66 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

The original naval school was founded in 1845 by tne historian, 
George Bancroft, Secretary of the Navy during the administra- 
tion of President Polk. Previous to its establishment the mid- 
shipmen were taught at various naval stations and on board ship. 
Persistent efforts were made from time to time to secure the es- 
tablishment of a school which should be to the Navy what 
West Point was, and had long been, to the Army ; but it was 
not until 1845 that these efforts were crowned with success and 
a naval school finally established at Annapolis under the direction 
of Commander Franklin Buchanan, its first superintendent. 

The wisdom of locating the school at Annapolis has been 
amply demonstrated by subsequent events. Nowhere in the 
United States could have been found a site more appropriate for 
this purpose. 

The mild climate, suitable for outdoor drills all the year 
round, the quietude and dignity of the old colonial town, with 
the opportunities for intercourse with its refined and cultured 
society, all aid in forming from the embryonic midshipman a 
courteous gentleman and a healthy, polished, efficient naval 
officer. 

The original grounds of the Naval Academy were those of the 
military reservation of Fort Severn, which had been turned over 
to the Navy Department, and which consisted of about ten acres. 
This old fort, a relic of the War of 18 12, will be the only build- 
ing of the original naval school that will survive the changes 
which have transformed it into the largest and best school of its 
kind in the world. 

The rebuilding of the Naval Academy had its origin in a report 
of the Board of Visitors of 1895, of which Colonel R. M. Thomp- 
son, a former graduate of the Naval Academy, was the moving 
spirit ; it is to him that the rebuilding of the Naval Academy is 
due to a great extent. A board, of which Commodore 
Matthews was president, appointed July 5, 1905, by Secre- 
tary Herbert to examine and report upon the needs of the institu- 
tion, reported that the buildings were unsafe and the arrange- 
ments unsanitary. 

No definite action was taken until 1898, when Congress made 
an appropriation to carry out the scheme of rebuilding the Naval 
Academy, according to plans prepared at the request of the Sec- 




INTERIOR OF THE NEW ARMORY OF THE U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY 

retary of the Navy, by Mr. Ernest Flagg, the well-known archi- 
tect. This work was finally commenced March 28, 1899, and 
Congress has since liberally voted various appropriations amount- 
ing to $10,000,000 to be expended in making the Naval Academy 
a model institution. 

THE NEW BUILDINGS OF THE NAVAL ACADEMY* 



The principal buildings are arranged in three groups in such 
a way as to preserve intact the trees and the lawns of the old 
"yard" or campus. The visitor passing through the main entrance 
of the Naval Academy grounds, faces northeast. On his right 
hand stands the Chapel, flanked by the superintendent's residence 
and the Administration Building. Further down and facing 



*Bascd upon an article by Mr. Ernest Flagg, architect. 
68 




- 



> r$ 

CO E 
< 



y k 



a 



70 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



Chesapeake Bay stands a group of three of the largest buildings 
of the Naval Academy ; in the center, the midshipmen's quarters 
or Bancroft Hall, flanked on one side by the Armory, and on the 
other by the Boathouse or Seamanship Building, both connected 
with the main building by a covered colonnade. 

On the left hand is another group of three buildings, the 
Library, Academic Building and Physics and Chemistry Build- 
ing. Beyond this group stands the Marine Engineering and Naval 
Construction Building, with its annex containing the foundries. 
Besides these principal groups there is a long row of officers' 
houses standing back of the Chapel close to the wall separating 
the Academy from the city of Annapolis. 

The Officers' Mess or Club Building stands in advance of these 
houses, in line with the Chapel group, while the Power-house 




MEMORIAL HALL (BANCROFT HALL) , NAVAL ACADEMY 




THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL, U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY 

group occupies the pier at the northwest end of the basin. It con- 
tains the Power-house, General Storage Building and the Shops 
Building. 

Outside the limits of the Naval Academy proper, and on land 
owned by the Government, are the Hospital, which overlooks the 
Severn River, and the Marine Barracks. 

MIDSHIPMEN'S QUARTERS OR BANCROFT HALL 



The principal entrance to the Midshipmen's Quarters from the 
"Yard" is through a court of honor, resembling the famous 
"Horseshoe Court" of the chateau of Fontainebleau called also 

71 



72 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 



the "Cour des Adieux" of Napoleon I, in which he hade farewell 
to his old guard after his abdication in 1814. 

Ascending the curved driveways one reaches the grand stair- 
way leading to the beautiful Memorial Hall in which the bodv 
of John Paul Jones will be placed until the crypt of the chapel 
is completed. This building with its connecting colonnades 
measures eleven hundred feet by eight hundred feet, and is six 
stories in height. Its wings contain the study and sleeping rooms 
of the midshipmen. 

In the main building, on the level with the parade ground, are 
located the kitchen, bakery, laundry, commissary and general 







INTERIOR OF THE NEW NAVAL ACADEMY CHAPEL SHOWING THE MEMORIAL 

WINDOWS 



74 JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 

stores, while within the ample terrace is the large mess hall 
seventy-live by three hundred and fifty feet, which affords ample 
accommodations for a thousand midshipmen. Surrounding this 
building and leading from the court of honor are broad terraces 
fifty feet in width. 

The parade ground, which lies to the southeast, faces Chesa- 
peake Bay. It has a frontage of about two thousand feet, cover- 
ing thirty acres, and will be used for military drills and athletic 
events. 

THE CHAPEL 

Dominating the entire group of the new buildings rises the 
Memorial Chapel, the cornerstone of which was laid on June 3, 
1904, by Admiral Dewey. It is located near the center of the 
grounds, and its dome towering two hundred and ten feet above 
sea level can be seen from a great distance down Chesapeake Bay. 
The general plan is that of a Greek cross with a large circle in- 
scribed and a rotunda about one hundred and twelve feet high, 
which forms the Chapel proper. The main floor is a circle and 
has a diameter of eighty-three feet ; on each side are 
transepts or wings, giving the interior a width of one hun- 
dred and sixteen feet eight inches on a line with the transepts, 
while the outside wall of the structure is one hundred and thirty 
feet. The transepts of the building are eighty-four feet high and, 
above them, the dome rises an additional one hundred and twenty- 
six feet. This dome is supported by a series of columns. One 
cupola of the dome forms the ceiling of the Chapel which is one 
hundred and ten feet above the main floor. A second cupola, 
above the first, supports a lantern forty-eight feet eight inches 
high, which is entered by a narrow staircase built in the walls of 
the lower part of the Chapel and through the first cupola. Near 
the top of the dome is a balcony from which an excellent view of 
Chesapeake Bay and surrounding country can be had. The main 
portal of the Chapel is ornamented with a superb pair of bronze 
doors, the gift of Col. Robert M. Thompson. The interior of the 
Chapel is adorned by some beautiful memorial windows and com- 
memorative tablets of Naval heroes. 

Below the floor is a vaulted crypt eighteen feet high, surround- 



j6 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

ed by a circular wall in which are niches to serve as tombs for 
the bodies of eminent naval commanders. 

The sarcophagus of John Paul Jones will here be placed in 
plain view upon a pedestal with battle-flags and captured colors 
around it. ( As Napoleon lies in state under the dome of the 
Invalides in Paris, as Grant reposes in the Riverside Monument 
on the banks of the Hudson, as Nelson rests in St. Paul's Cathe- 
dral in London, so Paul Jones will have his final resting place be- 
neath the dome of the beautiful Memorial Chapel of the Naval 
Academy, which will be one of the most impressive monuments 
of America and an everlasting inspiration to the future genera- 
tions of American naval officers. 

When the government has expended the ten million dollars 
appropriated for the new naval school and the rebuilding scheme 
has been carried out, there will stand at the junction of the 
Severn River and Chesapeake Bay the finest and most completely 
equipped naval school of the world, the just pride and boast of the 
American nation. 




THE NAVAL ACADEMY PRACTICE SHIP SEVERN, FORMERLY THE CHESAPEAKE 
UNDER FULL SAIL 



Proposed Programme of the Commemoration 

Exercises in Honor of John Paul Jones, 

April 24, 1906 

The exercises will be held at 2 P. M. April 24th, in the Armory 
of the Naval Academy, which is one of the largest and finest 
buildings of its kind in the world, and which can easily hold 
several thousand people. 

In the centre of the Armory will be erected a platform for the 
orators of the occasion and the body of Paul Jones will be trans- 
ferred from the temporary vault, previous to the ceremonies, and 
placed in front of the stand. The floor of the Armory will be 
divided into sections and lettered ; the center section to be reserved 
for the most distinguished guests and the wing sections for other 
distinguished guests. Galleries to be occupied by all others. The 
sections will be lettered and tickets issued with letters corres- 
ponding to the sections to which guests are to go. 

The Secretary of the Navy, Charles J. Bonaparte, will preside 
over the ceremonies, President Roosevelt, M. Jusserand, the 
French Ambassador to the United States, General Horace Porter, 
and Governor Warfield of Maryland, will each deliver an oration. 

The members of the Cabinet, Senators and Representatives in 
Congress, prominent Government officials and high officers of the 
Armv. the Navy and the Marine Corps will be present as well as 
the govpr^ors of several of the thirteen original States with their 
staffs and delegations from the various patriotic societies and or- 
ganizations throughout the country. The officers and men of the 
visiting French fleet and of the American battleship and cruiser 
squadrons will take part in the ceremonies. The brigade of Mid- 
shipmen will attend in a body as well as the Naval Militia of 
Maryland. A striking feature of the ceremonies will be the 
singing of patriotic hymns by the Oratorio Society of Baltimore, 
composed of several hundred trained voices, George T. 
M. Gibson, president, and Joseph Pache, director. The 
78 



s 



JOHN PAUL JONES LAST CRUISE 79 

programme of the songs will be as follows : "The Star Spangled 
Banner," after President Roosevelt's address ; "La Marseillaise," 
after M. Jusserand's speech ; chorus by Handel, after 
Genl. Horace Porter's speech ; "Maryland, My Maryland," after 
that of Governor Warfield, and "How Sleep the Brave," at the 
close of the exercises. 

At the conclusion of the services in the Armory, the remains 
of John Paul Jones, escorted by an imposing military procession, 
will be carried by body bearers to Bancroft Hall to be deposited 
in a small alcove in the beautiful Memorial Hall until the com- 
pletion of the crypt in the Memorial Chapel. When chapel and 
crypt are ready, the body will be removed to its permanent rest- 
ing place without any formal ceremonies in a manner similar in 
all respects to the transfer of the body of General Grant from a 
temporary to a permanent tomb. 



$< 



JoUn ffaul June* 

^/n Jueaaat/ SyAnlAcventn (few 7n; /#$& 



Facsimile of Invitation to the ceremonies in commemoration 
of John Paul Jones. 



Appendix 

Some Documents Relating to the Presence 
of the French Troops in Maryland and at 
Annapolis during the War of the American 
Independence 



Letter of the Marquis de La Fayette to George 

Washington 

Head of Elk, April 8, 1781. 
"On my arrival at Annapolis (March 1781) I found our 
preparations were far from promising a speedy departure. 
The difficulty of getting horses and wagons is immense. There 
are not boats sufficient to cross over the ferries. The state was 
very desirous of keeping us as long as possible, as they were 
scared by the apparition of the 'Hope' of 20 guns, and the 'Monk' 
of 18 guns — which blockaded the harbor, and which appears from 
intercepted letters, were determined to oppose our movements. 
In these circumstances I thought it better to continue my prepa- 
rations for a journey by land, which, I am told, would have lasted 
ten days on account of ferries ; and, in the meantime, I had two 
eighteen pounders put -on board a small sloop, which appeared 
ridiculous to some, but proved to be of great service. On the 
morning of the 6th Commodore Nicholson went out with the 
sloop, and another vessel full of men. Whether the sound of 
the eighteen pounders, or a fear of being boarded, operated upon 
the enemy, I am not able to say ; but, after some manoeuvres, they 
retreated so far as to render it prudent for us to sail for this 
place." — Marshall's Life of Washington, V. 4. 
80 






JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 8l 

Extract from the Annals of Annapolis 

"On the 7th of September of the same year (1781) the 4th 
Maryland Rgt., Commanded by Major Alexander Roxburgh, 
marched from this City to join the Marquis de La Fayette. This 
regiment had its full complement, consisting of upwards of six 
hundred rank and file. When we consider the short hours in 
which the two regiments above mentioned were raised, it affords 
additional testimony of the zeal and ability with which Mary- 
land aided in prosecuting the war, and establishing our inde- 
pendence. On the 1 2th of September, a fleet of transports arrived 
here, from the Head of the Elk, having on board the artillery, 
grenadiers and light troops of the allied army, on their route to 
James river. And on the 18th, about 4000 French troops, with a 
train of artillery marched into the City from the Northward, on 
their way to Virginia. 

At this time were anchored off the month of our harbor, the 
"Romulus," the "Gentille," and several other frigates belonging to 
America's illustrious ally. This must have been a spirit-stirring 
scene to our little city — and made all hearts feel confident in the 
success of 1 he common cause." — Ridgely's Annals of Annapolis, 
18 41, p. 197. 



Extract from the Journal of Baron Von Closen, Aide- 
de-Camp of Gen. Rochambeau. Vol. II, 1780-82 

Translation from the French. 

On the 10th (of August, 1782,) I accompanied M. de Rocham- 
beau (from Baltimore to Annapolis.) We crossed the ferry of the 
Patapsco, at 2 miles from Baltimore, and took dinner at King's 
Tavern which is about 15 miles distant from Baltimore; from 
there we departed after dinner and arrived in the evening at 
Annapolis. 

The country which we crossed is qnite well wooded. We passed 
several small fields that were well cultivated and many dwellings 
were seen on the route some of which are rather pretty. We 
stopped in Annapolis at the house of Mr. Lee, the Governor of 
the State of Maryland. The house which he occupies is well 
kept, but not very handsome. It overlooks the river that flows 
6 



82 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

nearby into the bay. Back of the house is a large garden but 
it is not very well kept, since each Governor knows that he can 
only enjoy it for three years, that being the period during which 
he is honored with this position. The City is rather pretty. The 
General Assembly of the State of Maryland holds its sessions there 
twice a year. Two public buildings are of great beauty, namely : 
the State House and a large Church (St. Anne's.) The State 
House is very large and has three stories, very well arranged. 
It contains three immense halls, one for the Senators, the other 
for the delegates and the third for the Archives (the Library). 
Some very fine paintings are to be seen there, among others those 
of the former Lords Baltimore, first owners of -this State, who 
later, under George II, only retained the title of Governor. The 
outlook from the platform around the tower is superb. The view 
extends six leagues down the bay and four leagues up towards 
Baltimore. Several charming dwellings are on both shores of the 
bay which is at this point four leagues wide. 

The City is situated on a neck of land formed by the rivers 
Patapsco and Romeco* which flow into the bay about a mile away. 

N. B. — M. de la Fayette had placed his army in front of the 
City between these two creeks, when he was obliged to remain 
there some time to await the result of the project of disembarking 
the troops of M. le Marquis de Viomenil, which the fleet of M. 
Destouches was to bring there from Newport in March 1781. 

Two English men-of-war kept him blockaded in that position 
until he decided to march overland to Virginia. 

Annapolis was very commercial before the war, but, for some 
years all the commerce has gone to Baltimore. However the 
richest men of the State have preferred Annapolis, which 
brings there a charming society, with verv beautiful women, 
well bred, well dressed and fond of gayety. Therefore the 
General invited them to a ball which the aides of the Quarter- 
master general were to give the following Thursday. First 
among the beauties of Annapolis was Mrs. Loyd [Lloyd], who 
was the most beautiful woman that I have seen on this Con- 
tinent; she was born in London; her husband, a rich gentleman 



* Inadvertently the Severn river and Spa Creek are apparently 
confused with the Patapsco and the Romeco, by the author. 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 83 

of Maryland, having gone to England to finish his studies, fell 
in love with her, but could obtain her only on condition 
that he would spend two years with her in Paris. He 
consented to this and it is this stay in Paris which has given 
her so much grace and such charming French manners that suit 
her admirably. In her house every thing is "a la francaise," and 
she dresses with a taste and elegance that have enchanted us ; 
with it all she speaks French and Italian perfectly, in a word she 
is reputed the beauty of America. 

The General made several visits ; that to General Smallwood 
was very interesting, since he explained to us all the particulars 
of that unfortunate affair at Camden on August 16th, 1780, where 
Gen. Gates was defeated by Lord Cornwallis, and where Gen. de 
Kalb had so greatly distinguished himself at the head of the 
continental troops which he commanded. After the death of 
de Kalb the command devolved on Gen. Smallwood; he tried 
to re-assemble most of the fugitives, joined them to the rest of the 
continental troops and took a position behind a creek, where he 
stopped the progress of Tarleton's cavalry who were hotly pur- 
suing the routed army. 

Several members of the Assembly, the Governor at the head, 
presented a very well written address to the General. It was 
very flattering to the army as well as to M. de Rochambeau in 
particular. 

On the 1 2th we returned by the same route to Baltimore. 



Address of the Governor and Council of the State 
of Maryland, Annapolis, August 11, 1782 

To his Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, Commander-in- 
Chief of the auxiliary troops of His Most Catholic Majesty 
in the United States. 
Sir:— 

It is with a singular pleasure that the members of the Council 
of the State of Maryland, take advantage of this occasion of your 
arrival in this City to present to your Excellency all the marks 
of esteem and respect. 

Please accept, Sir, our warmest thanks for the distinguished 



84 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

part that you took in the reduction of Yorktown. The success 
obtained by the allied army is principally due to the wisdom ot 
your counsels, to the vigor of your conduct, to the bravery of the 
troops under your command and to the prudent and wise 
manoeuvres of the Comte de Grasse. 

We are happy to be able to assure you that the people of this 
State are profoundly interested in all the events that may increase 
the happiness of your illustrious sovereign or of his Kingdom ; 
that they hear with the most lively demonstration of joy the 
news of the birth of a Dauphin. May the young prince, heir to the 
domain of his royal father, imitate his Virtues. 

May the union formed on the most generous equality and 
cemented by the blood of the two nations last eternally ! This is 
our most ardent wish. 

The events of the war have greatly strengthened our affections 
and we do not doubt, that the time honored vigor of France, 
with her numerous resources, will soon humiliate the pride of our 
common enemy. 

The prompt protection that your Excellency gave to the com- 
merce of Mary/and requires the acknowledgement of our grati- 
tude. 

The decorum and excellent discipline observed by your troops 
during their march through this State have given entire satisfac- 
tion to our citizens. 

Our duty and our inclination will always cause us to do even- 
thing in our power, to gratify their every wish ; and we beg your 
Excellency to communicate to the General and the officers of your 
army the high appreciation that we have of their merit and the 
respect that we feel for their persons and character. 



From Ridgeley's Annals of Annapolis, p. 204 

1783. On the 4th of January, 1783. his Excellency General 
Count Rochambeau. with his suite, arrived in this City and the 
next morning embarked on board his most Christian Majesty's 
frigate "L'Emeraude" for France. 

1784. On Monday, the 29th of November, 1784, General Wash- 
ington arrived at Annapolis, accompanied by the Marquis de la 









JOHN PAUL JONES"' LAST CRUISE 85 

Fayette. On the day following the General Assembly of this 
State, being then in session, to manifest their gratitude and at- 
tachment to those distinguished men, directed an elegant ball 
to be provided for their entertainment. Mr. Green says, "the 
evening was crowned with the utmost joy and festivity, the whole 
company being made happy by the presence of two most amiable 
and all-accomplished men, to whom America is so deeply indebted 
for her preservation from tyranny and oppression." 



The Following Addresses were Presented by the 

Executive and Legislative Bodies, respectively, 

to the Marquis, during his Visit at 

Annapolis, with his Answer 

Annapolis, November 30, 1784. 
In Council. 

Sir: — We, the Governor and council of Maryland, beg leave 
with the most entire respect and heart-felt satisfaction, to em- 
brace this first opportunity of your presence in the metropolis of 
this State, since the establishment of our peace, to offer you our 
warmest congratulations, and to express our high and grateful 
sense of the illustrious share which you bore in the accomplish- 
ment of this happy event. 

The early and decided part which you took in the cause of 
American liberty and glory, your generous services for us in the 
court of your august monarch, our great and good ally, 
and your wise and magnanimous conduct in the field upon many 
of the most arduous occasions of the war, have endeared your 
name to America, and enrolled it high in the list of patriots and 
heroes, the supporters of her liberty, and founders of her empire. 

May, Sir, your future days be as great and honorable as the 
past, and may heaven take under its peculiar care and protection, 
a life so eminently distinguished for its attachment and devotion 
to the rights and liberties of mankind. With every sentiment of 
regard and respect, we have the honour to be, sir, your most 
obedient humble servant. 

William Paca. 
The Honourable, the Marquis de la Favette. 



86 JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 

To his Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Council of 
the State of Maryland. 

Sir : — In the polite attention of your Excellency and Council, 
I find myself equally obliged to your attachment, and honoured 
by your approbation. 

To have been early adopted among the sons of freedom, to 
have seen French and American Standards united in the cause 
of mankind, to have so peculiarly shared in the confidence and 
friendship of the United States, are ideas the more pleasing to 
me, as I am assured, when I reflect upon the difficulties this 
country overcame, that she will attend to the means of splendor 
and happiness, which now, thank God, are at her disposal. 

I beg, Sir, your Excellency and Council will accept the warmest 
acknowledgments and sincerest wishes that an affectionate heart 
can most respectfully bestow. 

La Favette. 



During the Sitting of the Maryland Legislature in 
November, 1784, the following Act was Passed : 

An act to naturalize Major-General, the Marquis de la Fayette 
and his heirs male forever. 

Whereas, the General Assembly of Maryland, anxious to per- 
petuate a name dear to the State, and to recognize the Marquis 
de la Fayette for one of its citizens, who, at the age of nineteen, 
left his native country, and risked his life in the late Revolution ; 
who, on his joining the American Army, after being appointed 
by Congress to the rank of Major-General, disinterestedly refused 
the usual rewards of command, and sought only to deserve, what 
he attained, the character of patriot and soldier; who, when ap- 
pointed to conduct an incursion into Canada, called forth by his 
prudence and extraordinary discretion, the approbation of Con- 
gress, who, at the head of an Army in Virginia, baffled the ma- 
noeuvres of a distinguished general, and excited the admiration of 
the oldest commanders ; who early attracted the notice and ob- 
tained the friendship of the illustrious General Washington, and 
who laboured and succeeded in raising the honour and name of 
the United States of America ; therefore ; 

Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That 



JOHN PAUL JONES' LAST CRUISE 87 

the Marquis de la Fayette, and his heirs male forever, shall be 
and they and each of them are hereby deemed, and judged, and 
taken to be natural born citizens of this State, and shall hence- 
forth be entitled to all the immunities, rights and privileges." 



Letter from Col. Armand to the Governor of Maryland* 

Makalister,t in Pennsylvania, Dec. 28th, 1783. 

Sir : — After having past through the State over which you 
preside, I conceive it of my duty to express to your Excellency 
the thanks of the legion under my command, and mine in particu- 
lar, for the friendly disposition and behavior of the Marylandcrs 
tozvards us. The town of Frederick, in which we have made the 
longest station, has more particularly evinced to us the worthy 
and high character of that country. Permit me to add here, that 
where people are sensible as those, of the rights of military men 
to their attention and care, they do deserve having respectable 
troops as the Maryland line — and to create in others, wishes for 
the opportunity to serve them. 

I am, with great respect, your Excellency's very — the most 
obedient, humble servant. 

Armand, Mqis. La Rouerie. 
His Excellency the Governor of the State of Maryland, Annapolis. 



Extract from the Annals of Annapolis, p. 243 

The College Green (at Annapolis) in the revolutionary war, 
was used as an encampment of the French army, and also by 
the American troops assembled in the war of 1812. Traces of 
these encampments still remain, and render it an object of 
touching interest ; parts of it exhibit mounds raised to those who 
died in service ; and though "no storied urn" designates the spot 
where the remains of any distinguished warrior repose — all being 
indiscriminately inhumed — yet the interest of their fate is undi- 
minished by this circumstance, when we reflect that they died 
in the same glorious cause. 



* William Paca fMcAllersterville. 



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